How Are Mobile Phones Changing the Way People Maintain Relationships?
CULTURAL AWARENESS
How are mobile phones changing the way people maintain relationships?
INTRODUCTION
Mobile phones are increasingly taking a major role in the communication revolution and the use of the mobile phone is an immensely significant social and cultural phenomenon, hence over the years, the telephone has dramatically changed how people live their lives, see their world and communicate. As we read in Ferraro ( 2002: 29 ) “all cultures experience continual change”, however nowadays the process of a change is even more intensified, more dynamic and much quicker. A lot of that has to do with the development of mobile telephone technology.
In referring to the drivers of change, we cannot forget about phenomenon of globalization which affects our modern lifestyle. In today’s world we live in a fast-pace, where maintaining relationships is made difficult by the fact we have less time for social bonding, and communication is often very limited. Here comes into importance the technology of the mobile phone, as it gives the opportunity to talk to anyone, anywhere at any time.
Since mobile phones have become an increasingly important tool in social interaction, the purpose of this research project is to gain insight into the mobile technology phenomenon and to understand better how it affects the way people maintain relationships by linking it to the theoretical background of social construction and selective perception.
The report consists of four major sections. Firstly, theoretical background will be presented, followed up by the explanation of methodology used. Then the findings of the primary research will be presented, followed up by an overall analysis of information gathered. Finally, a conclusion will be given.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Before investigating the influence that mobile phones have had on the way the relationships are maintained, it is crucial to understand the connection between communication and culture. According to Hall
How are mobile phones changing the way people maintain relationships?
INTRODUCTION
Mobile phones are increasingly taking a major role in the communication revolution and the use of the mobile phone is an immensely significant social and cultural phenomenon, hence over the years, the telephone has dramatically changed how people live their lives, see their world and communicate. As we read in Ferraro ( 2002: 29 ) “all cultures experience continual change”, however nowadays the process of a change is even more intensified, more dynamic and much quicker. A lot of that has to do with the development of mobile telephone technology.
In referring to the drivers of change, we cannot forget about phenomenon of globalization which affects our modern lifestyle. In today’s world we live in a fast-pace, where maintaining relationships is made difficult by the fact we have less time for social bonding, and communication is often very limited. Here comes into importance the technology of the mobile phone, as it gives the opportunity to talk to anyone, anywhere at any time.
Since mobile phones have become an increasingly important tool in social interaction, the purpose of this research project is to gain insight into the mobile technology phenomenon and to understand better how it affects the way people maintain relationships by linking it to the theoretical background of social construction and selective perception.
The report consists of four major sections. Firstly, theoretical background will be presented, followed up by the explanation of methodology used. Then the findings of the primary research will be presented, followed up by an overall analysis of information gathered. Finally, a conclusion will be given.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Before investigating the influence that mobile phones have had on the way the relationships are maintained, it is crucial to understand the connection between communication and culture. According to Hall
References: * FERRARO, G.P. (2002). The cultural dimension of international business 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, pp. 29 * FOX, K. (2001) Evolution, alienation and gossip: the role of mobile telecommunications in the 21st century. Social Issues Research Centre. Available from http://www.sirc.org/publik/gossip.shtml [Accessed on 15/11/2011 ] * GAMBLE, T.K., GAMBLE,M. (1996). Communication works 5th ed. New York:McGraw-Hill, pp.77 * HALL, E.T. (1977) Beyond culture. Garden City, NY: Anchor Doubleday, pp.14 * HALL, E.T. (1983) The Dance of Life: Other Dimensions of Time. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, pp.42 * McGUIGAN, J. (2005) Towards a sociology of the mobile phone. An Interdisciplinary Journal on Humans in ICT Environments. Vol. 1 , pp. 45-57. Available from : www.humantechnology.jyu.fi [Accessed on 17/11/2011] * SAMOVAR, L.A., et al (2007). Communication between cultures 6th ed. Belmont, Calif: Thomson/Wadsworth, pp. 128-130